Summary: The Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence scene from the 2016 movie “Passengers” has been a topic of controversy since its release. The scene depicts a non-consensual action between the two main characters, leading to discussions about consent, Hollywood’s portrayal of women, and the responsibilities of actors in sensitive scenes.
1. The Scene and Its Context
In the scene, Chris Pratt’s character manipulates the hibernation pod of Jennifer Lawrence’s character, waking her up prematurely and ensuring that she cannot go back to sleep. He does this because he is desperately lonely after spending a year alone on a spaceship and believes that she is his perfect companion. He ultimately reveals what he’s done to her, and the two characters enter into a romantic relationship.
Many critics argue that the scene sends a dangerous message about consent, as Pratt’s character has taken away Lawrence’s character’s agency, making decisions for her without her knowledge or consent. Others have noted that the movie’s focus on Pratt’s loneliness romanticizes his actions and obscures the lack of consent at play.
However, some argue that the context of the characters and their isolation from society make the situation unique and more complicated. In real life, there would be significant consequences for this type of behavior, but the circumstances in the movie are not entirely realistic, and the storyline requires the event to occur.
2. The Actors’ Responsibility
The controversy surrounding the scene has led to discussions about the responsibility of actors in sensitive scenes such as this one. Some argue that actors should have the power to speak out against scenes if they are uncomfortable with them or believe that they send harmful messages. Others note that actors are typically contractually obligated to perform based on the script and decisions made by directors and producers.
Many also believe that the responsibility falls more on the shoulders of directors, producers, and screenwriters to ensure that sensitive scenes are handled responsibly and respectfully. It is their job to create accurate and realistic portrayals of challenging situations and to consult with experts when necessary.
However, actors do play a role in shaping their characters and narratives. Pratt and Lawrence have both spoken about their hesitations surrounding the scene, but ultimately agreed to perform it and stand by the movie’s decision. This stance has also been criticized, with some suggesting that they should have taken a stronger stance against a scene they were unsure about.
3. Hollywood’s Portrayal of Women
The scene has also been seen as emblematic of wider issues within Hollywood in terms of the portrayal of women. Some feminist critiques argue that the scene reinforces negative stereotypes and tropes about submissive, passive women. Others note that female characters are often reduced to mere plot devices or love interests, with their agency de-prioritized for the sake of male character development.
This type of superficial representation of women can be harmful and lead to a lack of nuanced discussions surrounding gender, power dynamics, and consent. Many believe that Hollywood needs to do better when it comes to representing women in Hollywood films, not only in acting roles but also in writing, directing, and production roles.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the scene speaks to larger issues in Hollywood. The push for diversity, representation, and nuanced discussions around gender, power, and consent is crucial, and this scene is just one example of how we can continue to work towards greater accountability and sensitivity in mainstream media.
Conclusion:
The non-consensual scene between Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence in “Passengers” has been a topic of controversy since its release. While some argue that the unique context of the characters makes the event more complicated, others note that the scene reinforces negative tropes about gender, power, and consent. The reactions to the scene also highlight the importance of having nuanced discussions around these issues not only in Hollywood but in broader society. This controversy serves as a reminder that we should continue pushing for responsible and accountable representation in mainstream media.
